Young footballers suffer many of the same injuries as their adult counterparts, there are however some significant differences to the type of injuries sustained by children and adolescents due to the differences in the structure of growing bone compound compared with adult bone.

Two common examples of this being the tendon attachment sites of the patellar tendon (osgoods-schlatter) and the heel bone (severs lesion).

 

Osgoods is common at the time of a growth spurt.Especially when associated with an increase of sporting activity. This condition produces tenderness over the bony area just below the kneecap, the problem is self limiting and requires activity modification (less activity especially for those involved in several teams).

 

Severs Lesion is centred on the insertion of the Achilles’ tendon to the heel bone and produces tenderness on activity, this condition will settle in time and requires activity modification until symptoms resolve.

 

Parents and coaches should always be on the lookout for these symptoms and the player should be refered to a qualified therapist for examination and treatment.